In keeping with the consumer price index, BC’s provincial government has decided to increase the minimum wage.
Minister of jobs, tourism and skills training and minister responsible for labour, Shirley Bond, announced the government’s decision Thursday, March 12. The minimum hourly rate of $10.25 will rise to $10.45, and the liquor server wage will rise from $9 to $9.20 effective September 15, 2015.
“Raising the minimum wage allows BC to keep pace with minimum wages in the rest of Canada while maintaining our competitiveness,” said Bond. “We remain focused on our plan to grow BC’s diverse economy to encourage investment that leads to high-paying, family supporting jobs.”
According to the ministry’s press release, also increasing is the hourly rate for live-in home support workers and live-in camp leaders, as well as monthly rates for resident caretakers and farm worker piece rates. All will rise in proportion to the $0.20 minimum hourly wage increase.
“Small businesses told us they want the minimum wage increase to be reasonable and predictable, which is why we implemented a formula-based approach tied to economic indicators,” said Naomi Yamamoto, minister of state for tourism and small business.
According to the release the rise will affect 5.9 per cent of the paid workforce in the province, 110,400 employees.
